Posted on August 18th, 2017, by Robert Kraina

The benefits of osteopathy for people who play sports

Sports osteopathy can have positive effects on joint pain and injury, as well as helping the body to recover more quickly and prevent further injury by strengthening the body and encouraging good posture. It also helps identify wider problems in the body that can contribute to the pain.

This is why professional sports clubs employ team osteopaths as they help their athletes stay fit. Treatments also help improve performance by loosening the muscles before a workout or game, then relax them and help them cool down at the end of a session.

The majority of sports injuries involve strains and sprains of tendons, muscles and ligaments. Sports people often get repetitive strain injuries which are the result of overuse, or not warming them up or down properly. Overuse injuries result in reduced joint flexibility, e.g. tennis elbow, and could become worse if not dealt with if not treated.

Osteopathy for the older sports person

There has been much in the news lately about how little exercise is taken by the middle-aged, and campaigns such as Change4Life have been actively encouraging young and old alike to exercise more and take care of themselves.

However, older people who heed the messages and take up sports again can face injuries if they don’t take things easy and build up their fitness levels properly. Osteopathy as a preventative treatment will help improve muscle tone, sports performance and keep the body supple, meaning there’s less chance of injury, e.g. runners who are worried about problems with their knees and ankles. Your osteopath can also give you advice on the best exercises to do to help improve your performance based on your chosen sport.

RICE

If you have been overdoing it on the sports field and have sprained a muscle or ligament, remember to follow the RICE rule before you make an appointment with your osteopath.

Rest – give the injured area a chance to rest for at least 48 hours

Ice – wrap an ice pack in a towel and hold it on the infected area for up to 30 minutes

Compression – use compression bandages to help reduce any swelling and restrict movement

Elevation – keep the injured limb elevated in a comfortable position to help reduce swelling as well as rest it

If you would like to know more about how sports osteopathy treatment can help you, contact us or book an online appointment.